After outrage, Abu Azmi clarifies his controversial comments on rape

After making controversial comments on rape, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi clarified his statement saying he never said that rape victims should be punished.

“I never said that the girl who is raped should be punished. I said rapist should be punished and girl is a victim. I said that all of us should show solidarity with the girl,” Mr. Azmi said in Mumbai. “I will never make such statement, only a mad person will say such things,” he added.

On Friday, Mr. Azmi said, “Under Islam, rape is punishable… any woman if, whether married or unmarried, goes along with a man, with or without her consent, should be hanged. Both should be hanged. It shouldn’t be allowed even if a woman goes by consent.”

The Samajwadi Party leader earned widespread criticism for his controversial comments, including condemnation at home from his son and daughter-in-law.

Mr. Azmi’s son Farhan, the Samajwadi Party’s candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from the Mumbai North-Central seat, said, “consensual sex is a private matter, it’s a freedom given to us by the constitution.”

“We cannot be discussing these things in front of TV cameras. I have spoken to my father about the comments. I stand against every person who is insulting a woman,” he added.